SAUM

(Fasting)

PART 11

  1. Fasting in the month of RAMADHAAN is one of the five pillars of Islam.
  2. Fasting in the month of Ramadhaan is FARZ upon every Muslim, male and female who is sane and mature.
  3. Almighty Allah has promised great reward for those who, Fast, whilst severe punishment is in strict leer those that do NOT fast in the month of Ramadhaan
  4. Fasting has many physical, moral and special benefits. However, Allah has made fasting compulsory so that we become pious, God caring and God conscious.
  5. Fasting in ISLAM means to stay away from EATING, DRINKING and COHABITATION from, Subha Sadiq (early dawn) to sunset with a Niyyat or ROZAH (fasting).

TYPES OF FAST

There are EIGHT types of ROZAH. They are as follows :

  1. FARZE MUAIYYAN.
    Fasting for the whole month of Ramadhaan once a year.
  2. FARZ GHAIR MUAIYYAN
    The duty upon one to keep QAZAA of a Rozah missed in the month of Ramadhaan with or without a valid reason.
  3. WAJIB MUAIYYAN
    To vow to keep a fast on a specific day or date for the sake of Allah, upon the fulfillment of some wish or desire. (NAZR).
  4. WAJIB MUAIYYAN
    To vow or pledge to keep a fast without fixing any day or date upon the fulfillment of a wish (Nazr). Those Rozahs which are kept for breaking one's Qasm (oath) also fall under this category.
  5. SUNNAT
    Those Rozahs which Rasulullah (S.A.W.) kept and encouraged others to keep, eg. fasting on the 9th and 10th of Muharram, the 9th of Zil Hijjah, etc.
  6. MUSTAHAB
    All fasts besides Farz, Wajib and Sunnat are Mustahab, e.g.., fasting on Mondays and Thursdays.
  7. MAKROOH
    Fasting ONLY on the 9th or 10th of Muharram or fasting ONLY on Saturdays.
  8. HARAAM
    It is Haraam to fast on FIVE days during the year. They are Eidul Fitr, Eidul Adha and three days after Eidul Adha.

THE NIYYAT OR INTENTION

  1. The Niyyat (intention) of fasting is NECESSARY. If a person stays away from all those things that break one's fast without a Niyyah, the fast will NOT be valid.
  2. It is NOT necessary to express the Niyyat verbally as Niyyat means to intend. Thus, the intention at heart will suffice. However, it is better to express the Niyyat verbally also.
  3. The time for Niyyat lasts upto midday for Farze Muaiyyan, Walih Muaiyyan, Sunnat or Mustahab fasts. The hours of a day are from Suhha Saadiq to sunset.
  4. The Niyyat for Farze Ghair Muaiyyan and Wajih Ghair Muaiyyan should be made before Suhha Saadiq.

DU'A AT THE TIME OF BREAKING FAST

MUSTAHABS IN FASTING

  1. To partake of SEHRI (the meal before Subha Satliq).
  2. To delay the Sehri upto a little before Subha Sadiq.
  3. To break the fast immediately after sunset.
  4. To break one's fast with dry or fresh dates if available. If dates are not available, then with water.
  5. To make Niyyat at night.

THINGS MAKROOH WHILE FASTING

  1. To chew gum, rubber, plastic items or other such things.
  2. To taste any article of food or drink and spit it out. If a woman has a very ill-tempered husband, it is permissable for her to taste the food, provided it does not go down the throat.
  3. To collect one's saliva in the mouth and then swallow it, trying to quench thirst.
  4. To delay a bath that has become FARZ knowingly until after Subha Sadiq.
  5. To use paste or tooth powder to clean one's teeth. It is permitted to clean with a miswaal of any fresh branch or root (tooth stick).
  6. To complain of hunger and thirst.
  7. To take the water too much up the nostrils when cleaning the nose.
  8. To gargle more than necessary.
  9. To quarrels argue, use filthy or indecent words.
  10. To backbite, tell a lie and swear etc. are sinful acts even when one is not fasting

THINGS THAT BREAK ONE'S FAST

1. Things that break one's fast are of two kinds. Some make only Qaza necessary, whilst others make both QAZA and KAFFAARAH compulsory.

  1. QAZA:

    To keep one fast in place of the one that breaks, or is broken intentionally.

  2. KAFFARAH:

    To keep one fast after another for sixty days CONTINUOUSLY

  • However, if a person is unable to keep these 60 Rozas, for some valid reason, e.g. continuous sickness, then one has the caption of choosing from one of the following four :
  1. Feed sixty poor people to their full for two meals, or
  2. Feed one poor person two meals a day, for sixty days ; or
  3. Give 60 poor persons 31/2 Ibs. (approx. 1.6kg. of wheat, or its value in cash or food grains ;
  4. Give to one poor person not less than 31/2 Ibs. of wheat, rice or food grains, etc. to its value of cash for SIXTY days.

THINGS THAT BREAK ONE'S FAST BUT MAKE ONLY QAZA WAJIB

  1. Anything put by force into the mouth of fasting persons
  2. Water goes down the throat whilst gargling, conscious of one' fasting.
  3. To Vomit mouthful intentionally or to return vomit down the throat.
  4. Swallowing intentionally a pebble, piece of paper or any item that is not used as food or medicine.
  5. Swallowing something edible, equal to or bigger than a grain of gram which was stuck between the teeth. However if it is first taken out of the mouth and swallowed, it will break the fast whether it is smaller or bigger than the size of a gram.
  6. Putting oil into the ear.
  7. Inhaling snuff into the nostrils.
  8. Swallowing the blood from the gums if the colour of the blood is more than the saliva with which it is mixed.
  9. To eat and drink forgetting that one is fasting and thereafter thinking that the fast is broken, to eat and drink again.
  10. To eat and drink after Subha Sadiq or to break the fast before sunset due to cloudy sky or a faulty watch, etc., and then realising one's fault.
  11. Any other fast other than a Ramadhaan one, whether broken intentionally or with a good and valid reason, makes ONLY Qaza WAJIB. There is NO Kaffarah for breaking any fast besides that of Ramadhaan.

THINGS THAT MAKE BOTH QAZA AND KAFFARI WAJIB

  1. Eating, drinking or breaking the fast in any other manner, ea., smoking, etc., without a valid reason, will make both Qaza and Kaffarah necessary.
  2. Applying BURMA into the eye or rubbing oil on the head and then, thinking that the fast is broken, to eat and drink intentionally.
  3. To drink any kind of medicine intentionally.

    (Note: INJUNCTION is permitted.)

THINGS THAT DO NOT BREAK THE FAST

  1. To eat or drink something unintentionally.
  2. A mosquito, fly or any other object going down the throat unintentionally.
  3. Water entering the ears.
  4. Dust or dirt going down the throat.
  5. Swallowing one's OWN saliva.
  6. Taking an injection.
  7. Applying of Surma (kohl) into the eyes.
  8. Taking a bath to keep cool.
  9. Rubbing oil onto the body or hair.
  10. To vomit unintentionally.
  11. Applying Itr or perfume. It is NOT permitted to inhale the smoke of Lobaan or Agar Batti whilst fasting. It is also NOT permitted to smoke cigarettes or inhale its smoke.
  12. Brushing the teeth wihtout tooth paste or powder, ea., using a Miswaak, etc.
  13. A dream which makes Ghusl WAAJIB (necessary) does Not break the Rozah.

PEOPLE EXEMPTED FROM FASTING IN RAMADAAN

  1. Sick people when their health is likely to be badly affected by fasting. They should make up the loss, a day for a day, when they recover after Ramadhaan.
  2. A Musafir, (one who is undertaking a journey of more than 77 knits and does NOT intend staying mote than 14 day at his destination). Howevet. it is better for him to fast in Ramadhaan than keep Qaza later, provided the journey is NOT a tiresome one.
  3. It it is feared that hnger or thirst will lead to death, it is permitted to break one's fast.
  4. It is WAJIB to keep Qaza of a NAFL fast that was broken before completing it.

FIDYA FOR FAST

FIDYA (COMPENSATION).

1. A very old person who does NOT have the strength to fast or a very sick or diseased person who has NO hope of recovering after Ramadhaan, should give FIDYA for each fast missed in Ramadhaan.

2. The Fidys for a fast is similar to that of a missed Farz or Wajib Salaat, i.e.:

1.

 To give 3 1/2 Ibs = approx. 1, 6kg. of wheat
  OR 7 ibs = approx. 3,2 kg of barley
2. OR....the equivalent of the above in cash or kind.

If, however, an old or sick person gains strength or recovers after Ramadhaan, he must keep the missed number of fasts and whatever was riven as Fidya will he a reward for him from Allah Ta'ala.

No one is allowed to fast for another (sick or fit) person.

N.B. Children should be encouraged to fast, but should not be forced to complete the fast upto sunset if they are unable to bear the hunger or thirst.

I'TIKAAF

I'TIKAAL means to enter the Masjid with the Niyyal of residing therein.

(MUTAKlF: One who makes l'TIKAAF).

TYPES OF l'TIKAAF: WAJIB SUNNAT MUSTAHAB WAJIB

To Vow or pledge to make I'TIKAAF (on fixed day) for the sake Allah upon the fulfilment of some wish or desire.

The least duration of a WAJIB I'tikaaf is one day and night and it must be accompanied by a fast.

SUNNAT -E- MUAKKEDA:

To reside the last ten nights and days of Ramadhaan in the Masjid is SUNNATE MUAKKADAH ALAL KIFAYAH, ie. If a person from the community fulfils the obligation of I'tikaaf the entire community will be absolved of this sacred duty. Otherwise all the residents will be sinful of neglecting this SUNNAT of our NABI (Sallallaho-Alaiha-Wa-Sallam).

MUSTAHAB OR NAFIL:

This I'tikaaf can be for any amount of time, even for a few minutes.

No fast (Roza) is conditional for MUSTAHAB or NAFL I'tikaaf.

CONDITIONS OF I'TIKAAF:

  1. Islam
  2. Sane, ie. a person should not be mad.
  3. Taharat. To be free from HADASE AKBAR
  4. NIYYAT. Intention.

THINGS PERMITTED DURING I'TIKAAF.

  1. Eating.
  2. Sleeping.
  3. Discussing matters of Deen or necessary talk.

It is MAKROOH to observe complete silence as a form of IRAI)AT (Worship).

ONE IS PERMITTED TO LEAVE THE MUSJID.

  1. For WAJIB GHUSL.
  2. For Wudhu.
  3. To follow the call of nature (toilet).
  • LEAVING THE MUSJID without a valid Shar'ee reason will nullify the l'tikaaf..

THINGS TO DO DURING l'TIKAAF.

  1. A Mu'takif should engage himself in Ibaadat.
  2. Recital of Holy Quraan.
  3. NAFI Salaat and Zikr.
  4. Durood Sharief and Istighfaar.
  5. Remember of Allah Ta'ala.
  6. I.earn or teach the knowledge of deen.

A woman should perform l'tikaaf in her home at the place where she performs her daily Salaat or any suitable place.

NIYYAH FOR NAFL l'TIKAAF

(I INTEND MAKING I'TIKAAF FOR ALLAH TILL I REMAIN IN THE MUSJID.)

TARAWEEH

  • Taraweeh Salaat is SUNNATE MU'AKKADAH for both, men and women.
  • To perform Taraweeh with Jama'at is SUNNATE KIFAYAH for men.
  • If a person performs Taraweeh at home whilst Taraweeh is being performed at the Masjid, he will NOT be sinful. However, if all the neighbours perform their Taraweeh alone at home, then all will be sinful because of neglecting the Jama'at.
  • The time for Taraweeh is from after Esha Salaat to a little before Subha Sadiq. It can be performed before and after the Witr Salaat also.
  • If one has missed a few Rak'aats of Taraweeh and the Imam has commenced the Witr, then this Muqtadi may join for the Witr and complete the remainder of his Taraweeh thereafter.
  • 20 Raktauts with 10 Salaams are MASNOON, i.e. one should have a Niyyat for 2 Rak'auts of Taraweeh each time. After every four Raktuats it is Mustahab to sit a while and take a rest.
  • One may remain silent or recite the Quran Sharif or Taseeh in a low voice or say Nafl Salaat separately during the period of rest after every four Rak'aats.
  • It is MAKROOH to perform Taraweeh sitting if one has the strength of Qiyam (standing).
  • While performing Taraweeh some do not join the Jama'at from the beginning but join the lmam when he prepares to go into Ruku. This is MAKROOH. They should join at the beginning.
  • If one does NOT get the Jama'at for Farz, he should perform his Farz alone and then join the Jama'at for a Taraweeh.

VIRTUES OF FASTING

  1. Hazrat Abu Huraira R. A reported that the Apostle of Allah said: "When Ramadhaan comes, the doors of Hell are closed, and the devils are put in chains and the doors of Mercy are opened."
  2. The Prophet Muhammad S. A. W. said: "The fragrance of the mouth of a fasting person is more pleasant to Allah than the smell of musk".
  3. Hazrat Sahl bin Saud (R. A.) reported that Rasululah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam said: "In Paradise there are eight doors of which there is a door named RAYYAAN. None but those that fast will enter it".
  4. Hazrat Abu Hurairah R. A. reported that Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam said: "Whoever breaks fast on one day of Ramadhaan without excuse or illness, his fasting of his whole age will not compensate it.
  5. Hazrat Anas R. A reported that the Messenger of Allah said: "Partake of Sehri before dawn, because in this Sehri there is Barakat (blessing)."
  6. Hazrat Ahu Hurairah R. A reported that the Messenger (Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) of Allah said: "Whoever fasts during Ramadhaan with faith and is hopeful of reward, all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stands up in Namaaz with faith and is hopeful of reward, all his past sins will he forgiven, whoever stands up in Namaaz during the blessed night with faith and is hopeful of reward, all his past sins will he forgiven.

THERE ARE SIX DUTIES IN FAST KNOWN AS SUNNATS.

  1. To partake of Sehri or predawn meals.
  2. To break fast immediately after sunset.
  3. To perform Taraweeh Salaat at night.
  4. To feed the poor and hungry.
  5. To increase the reading of the Holy Qur'an.
  6. To observe I'tikaaf within the Musjid during the last ten days of Ramadhaan.

FASTING TEACHES SYMPATHY FOR THE HUNGRY.

Fasting is the only method whereby the pangs or hunger, the ever present companion of the poor, are experienced by the rich. Thus this experience kindles a spirit of kindness to the poor and distressed. It also gives rise to the thought of how people will fare on the day of Resurrection, when the greatest urge of hunger and thirst will be felt.

SPIRITS OF RAMADAAN AND AT ALL TIMES.

  1. Don't speak without purpose.
  2. Don't be vulgar or rude.
  3. Don't be irritable.
  4. Don't tell lies.
  5. Don't backbite.
  6. Don't argue or fight.
  7. Don't be boastful and arrogant.
  8. Don't swear.
  9. Don't eat doubtful food at IFTAR.
  10. Don't look at undersirable things.
  11. Don't listen to objectionable speech.
  12. Don't gossip.
  13. Don't commit any sins.

QUESTIONS

  1. Explain the term MUHTADAR.
  2. How should a Muhtadar be made to lie (the Sunnat method)?
  3. If possible, which Surahs should be recited in the presence of the Muhtadar?
  4. What is Talqeen?
  5. What are the signs of a person nearing his end?
  6. Mention the ten important things to be carried out after a person has passed away.
  7. What are the requirements for a male and female Kafn.
  8. What are the requirements for the Kabr?
  9. Draw sketches and explain the two different types of Kabrs.
  10. It is (Makrooh, Haraam, Mustahab) to have ones grave pre-pared during ones lifetime.
  11. Write down all the requirements for Ghusl.
  12. If there are no women, can the husband perform the Ghusl of his wife?
  13. How should the Kafn be put on for the male?
  14. Is it permissible to include any Du'a, Aayat or any other charter in the Kafn?
  15. Is it permissible for Ghair Mahram women to see the face of any male?
  16. Can the Janaazah Salaat be performed in the Musjid?
  17. The Janaazah Salaat is (Farze Ain, Farze Kifayah, Sunnat) on all Muslim males.
  18. Mention the Farz of Janaazah Salaat.
  19. How should late comers join and complete the Janaazah Salaat?
  20. How should the Qabr be shaped?
  21. What is Ta'ziat?
  22. What are the points to be noted during Ta'ziat?
  23. Is it necessary to set aside a specific day to visit the Kabrastan?
  24. Mention the Surahs preferable to be recited at the Kabrastan.
  25. What is IDDAT and what is the period of Iddat?
  26. Who is a Mayyit? Is a still born child called a Mayyit? Should it be given Ghusl?

QUESTIONS

  1. Outline the five pillars of Islam.
  2. What does fasting mean to a Muslim?
  3. Mention the eight different types of fasts.
  4. Explain the first four.
  5. When is it: a) Sunnat, b) Mustahab, c) Makrooh and d) Haraam to Fast?
  6. What will happen if a person did not make an intention to fast?
  7. Mention the time for the Niyyat.
  8. Mention 3 Mustahabs in Fasting.
  9. Mention 6 acts of Makrooh whilst fasting.
  10. Things that break one's fast are of ........... types. Mention and explain them.
  11. Explain the terms Qaza and Kaffarah.
  12. Mention all the items that break ones fast hut only make Qaza Waajib.
  13. If a person intentionally broke his Sunnat Roza, will Kaffarah become Waajib? If so, Why?
  14. Mention the items that make Qaza and Khaffarah Waajib.
  15. Mention 7 items that do not break one's Fast.
  16. How many types of people are exempted from fasting?
  17. Explain the Fidya for a Fast.
  18. If a sick person, who has already given Fidya, recovers from his illness, what should he do?
  19. If a person is sick, can another person fast on his behalf?
  20. Mention the 3 types of I'tikaaf.
  21. Mention the conditions of I'tikaaf.
  22. Which acts are permitted during I'tikaaf?
  23. What will happen if a person leaves the Musjid without any valid Shar'ee reason?
  24. Where should a woman make I'tikaaf?
  25. Taraweeh Namaaz is (Farz, Sunnate Muakkadah, Waajib) for (men only, women only, both).
  26. How should one read the Tasbih after every four Rak'aats?
  27. How is it to perform Taraweeh seated?
  28. Mention 3 virtues of Fasting.
  29. Mention 4 Sunnats of Fasting.
  30. What does fasting teach a Muslim?
  31. Mention 7 "Don't's" of Ramadhaaan.
Index Forward